Pope Francis I

On Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 2:04PM EST white smoke rose indicating that a new Pope had been chosen. Not long after Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now known as Pope Francis I appeared to massive crowds and addressed them in kind simple words, asking for prayers for himself for the long journey ahead. Pope Francis I has lived a simple life and has always put the poor first.

Please join us in welcoming him and leave your message or comments using the form below.

121 Comments »

DEAR POPE FRANCIS I AM HOPING YOU CAN HELP THE PEOPLE OF CLEVELAND OHIO OUR BISHOP SEEMS TO BE DOING THINGS THAT ARE CAUSING US TO LOSE FAITH. AFTER CLOSING 50 OF OUR CHURCHES DUE TO LACK OF PRIESTS HE IS FORCING FATHER BEGIN TO RETIRE AT 75 EVEN THOUGH HE WISHES TO STAY ON AND IS IN GOOD HEALTH. I AM 74 AND NEVER HAVE WRITTEN A BISHOP LET ALONE A POPE BUT I BELIEVE YOU CAN HELP US.
GOD BLESS YOU
CAROL GNEP

Hi there. Congrats on securing this domain I’m a Catholic scholar and am interested in publishing a user-friendly access point for engaging Pope Francis’s messages and writings; I also run http://popebenedict16.com. I’d like to be in touch, if you’re willing. Not sure how you plan to use the site, but I’d be very willing to help in your efforts..

May God guide Pope Francis well. I have to say I’ve never seen such excitement around the election of a Pope. After reading up on him on Wikipedia and CNN and the like, I have to say I really like this man.

Your Holiness, Congratulations on your election and look forward to the Church contining to move forward under your reign.
I look forward to all your new initiatives in helping the poor and spreading the food source around the world to feed everyone.

May God’s love continue to enlighten your way. May we, the people of the church you now guide, find the integrity, justice, transperancy and respect we have yearned for in our church under your guidance.

I was very encouraged to read you washed the feet of two people. There is still hope and love in the world. That was a gesture much like Jesus. Keep up the good work! I am sure ou already know that many will be against some of the things you do. But, they would lso perhaps be against what Jesus di or would do. Best wishes in your leadership and may God continue to guide you as I know He is.

Mam is dying and i just want your blessing. My baby sister is frances and we all cried with mam in hospital the day u became francis 1st mam thinks u r great and she a big fan of st Francis so was i anyway can u say a prayer for her. Thank you know your busy. X

I have read with interest the progress of Pope Francis I, although myself I hold completely different. If Francis is – according to Luis Palau – a Bible and Christ centered person, the question comes to my mind: why has he accepted titles which biblically belong only to the Triune God. I do not question Francis desire to change or to improve, nor his desire to clean the church. It is admirable, but where is Francis spiritually? Where is he if confronted by the demands of the Bible and the Bible alone? Where is he, without the Jesuit training, just Jose and the Risen and Crucified Christ? If Christ aone is His Savior, does he need the intervention of His blessed Mother? If Christ has provided a full, eternal, complete and satisfactory expiation for us on the Cross, why does he need to re-enact and re-present it? Why are we playing with classical mythology and christianize what even the Holy Apostles would have shrudded with great disapproval at? No I am not one of these Protestants who will shout at Francis, but I am prone to ask him this question: If you know Christ as your Lord and Saviour, where will you be after you finish your life here? The renewal of the Church must take place according to the Bible and not according to Tradition. Francis you can help to change the church not in her external, but within – if you know the Christ of the Bible, then you will obey His commands even if that will mean to lose your position. Exhort Catholics to come back to the God who has given us the only truth:the Bible

Christ is everything and everything we are and have must be found in Him alone.

The Mandy Thursday event of Pope Francis has brought him close to the heart of not only all women but all suppressed .Long Live our dear Pope .We are blessed to have him as our Pope .He is an icon of Popes .

Welcome Pope Francis. I have a question and the answer may be part of Church doctrine. First of all, I am a 62 year old Catholic. I will in an Assisted Living community for over 2 years now, mostly because of my disabilities, not my age. We have a Catholic run worship service here every Saturday morning, and all denominations are welcome to attend. We have a well rounded service, to include a bible reading with comments and discussion, a special time of offering support, prayers and attention for those we know who are in need and suffering, and receiving communion. There are quite a few of us who do not understand why those attending, who aren’t Catholic, can’t receive Communion when they believe in the meaning of the Eucharist, and are good Christians. I just don’t believe that Catholic doctrine is so strict as to deny these good people from receiving Jesus, when he turned away from no one. You could refer to Mark 3: 1-5 to read one place in the Bible that mentions how Jesus accepted all no matter their background. Doesn’t this show that Jesus wanted all to receive his body? I believe that He was all forgiving and all accepting, and wanted all who believe to partake in Him. I hope someone there has listened to what I had to say, and will answer my question. Thank you for reading this and for your response.

I’m not a Catholic, but I can’t help liking this Pope. I think it was very generous of him to say what he did about atheists, and I am personally interested in whether he would extend the same sentiment to polytheists.

Our Dear Pope Francis I,
Thank you for leading God’s people with the Love and Grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I feel that you have brought peace to our world. Please pray for peace among all of our Lord’s people around this beautiful world for which he has given us to live. In my eyes, we are as flowers in God’s garden, all beautiful in our own way, and yet, so many different nations of families around our world, it is truly amazing. You have ask us to pray for you, and we certainly will, and do every day. Thanks Be To God!

Peace Be With You
Treva N. Davis
Member of
The Church of Epiphany of The Lord Catholic Church
7336 West Britton Road
Oklahoma City, OK 73132

may god bless you pope. i belong to a sikh community and i do work as hymn singer in sikh temples in india i request you that i want to change my religion from sikh to catholic so please do me a favour

Pope Francis The 1st and the final Mankinds Universal Church mortal human head. the next is the immortal son of God. The “Anointed” or Messiah the {God-Man}
The Prince of Peace (Love) “The Immortal Son of the living (SPIRIT)

Pope Francis 1, You sound like a very good man. I think it is wonderful that you are so humble and still wish to have a simple life and help the poor. And now you said that all good people whether they have a religion or nothing, will go to heaven.
My mother believed that too. God bless you….It can’t be easy being Pope. I thank you for all the good you have done and will do.

Blessed Father, Pope Francis,
We pray for you daily, and know how hard your new job is, as Pope. Thank you for excepting the awesome responsibility that God has requested of you. The world being what it is, I’m sure you must feel that you are extremely alone, but we support and love you.
Please pray for America. There are those of us left, in this great country, who remain faithfully loyal to the Church and it’s teaching.
Thank you and God Bless you,
Roxie

Welcome Pope Francis. You are the change our church has been seeking. I would like to have you help all the people attempting to enter the church but cannot because of previous marriages and there are blocks to be being baptized because paperwork has not been finished. Would Jesus keep these people away until they got their papers in order ? We need to change and streamline the annulment process in order to truly welcome everyone into our Church.

I am not catholic but so far I have been very impressed with Pope Francis. I see a good man here. I agree with his idea that so much food is wasted. I have had to go to food banks on occasion and there is very little there that is handed out as there are so many people in need. I have gotten a bag of rice, beans a loaf of bread and canned vegetables. That is once a month and though it helps it does not go far. God Bless him for bringing the waste to the worlds attention.

God give the priests an upgrade in emotional training and understanding of humankind. Not just words. The human heart, others hearts are brused, bleeding and tried of the jokes the priests make about serious stuff.

The priests need an total overhaul from studys to being human! Their is a lot of slight of hand going
on. And 3 card monty. Where the pea.

I AMONG MANY PRAYED FOR YOU ASKING THE HOLY SPIRIT TO HELP THE CARDINALS TO VOTE IN A HOLY, DEVOUT, LOVING, SIMPLE FATHER AND A CHAMPION FOR ALL HUMAN LIFE. THE HOLY SPIRIT DID HIS JOB. I PRAY NOW THAT YOU AND THE HO;Y SPIRIT CAN SOME HOW TURN THE STONE HEARTS THAT TURN A BLIND EYE TO THE MASS MURDER OF CHILDREN AROUNGD THE WORLD AND ESPECIALLY HERE IN THE UNITED STATES WHERE I LIVE. WE HAVE MADE SOME HEADWAY IN THE DIRECTION OF TURNING AROUND THE ABORTION INDUSTRY BUT IT HAS ALREADY TAKEN MORE THAN 40 YEARS AND OVER 55 MILLION INNOCENT LIVES. I HAVE SENSED THAT YOU ARE A COURAGIOUS MAN AND A SPIRITUAL MAN. PLEASE TALK TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND SEE IF YOU CAN OPEN HIS EYES. HE IS A SCARY MAN AND HE LEADS OUR COUNTRY AND I PERSONALLY DO NOT TRUST HIM AND THINK HE IS LEAD BY THE DEVIL HIMSELF. I KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT TO DO AND A LOT OF PEOPLE TO LOOK AFTER BUT IF YOU COULD FIND THE TIME. I DO NOT WANT TO PAY FOR ANY ABORTION BUT WE ARE BEING FORCED TO THROUGH INSURANCES. IF ONLY ALL CATHOLICS OR ALL CHRISTIANSWHO BELIEVE IN THE SANTITY OF HUMAN LIFE WOULD STAND TOGETHER AND REFUSE TO PAY THE INSURANCE OR WHAT EVER WE HAVE TO DO. PLEASE ADVISE ME WHAT I SHOULD DO PERSONALLY. MY HEART IS HEAVY WITH THIS KNOWLEDGE THAT I TO SHALL CONTRIBUTE TO THE KILLING OF INNOCENT HUMAN LIFE. GOD HELP US ALL GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY THE HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU IN ALL THE DECISIONS YOU HAVE TO MAKE. YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS. THANK YOU

I truly know you have a mission from our Blessed Mother. PLEASE HURRY and consecrate Russia to Her Immaculate Heart. Please do not delay as the world will face nuclear destruction. Please gather all the bishops. This is more important than anything. Unlock the secret of Fatima! Consecrate Russia!!

We beg you, with your Bishops, consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary per Her request in Fatima.
Like Moses, like and one with Our High Priest Jesus, God is with you.
What is bound on earth is bound in Heaven – fulfill Our Mother and Queen’s requests!
Together with our Eucharistic Lord, with the poor, your brothers, your children are in dire need!
We are praying for you, we count on you!!

Praying Our Lord and Our Lady always lead and protect you and The Church!
Fiat!

Pope Francis1 is such a great man, I LOVE the new image of our Pope that he is creating, giving up the glitzy seat for a wooden one, kissing the feet of women, and letting the down syndrom boy into his Pope Mobile, what a great example of humility, like Jesus. He is the best example of Jesus that I have seen in a Pope. LONG LIVE POPE FRANCIS1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Pope Francis,
Thank you for removing some of the trappings of the Papacy and for your simplicity/humilty and most of all for your care/concern for the Poor. I’ll continue to remember you in my Prayer. May the Lord sustain you. I’m a Religios Sister of the Presentation of Our Lady founded by Nano Nagle in Cork Irelan in 1775.

Dear Pope Francis,
We are so blessed to have you as our new Pope. Your humility truly resembles that of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I am so proud now to identify myself as Catholic because of your leadership and love for the poor. You don’t just talk the talk, you walk the walk (as they say here in America). For many years I have been saddened that our leaders have forgotten the ways of our Lord, but you are changing all of that. Hopefully, others will follow your example.
May God Bless you and give you the strength you need for your work!
Sincerely,
Pam Price

Sir I am impressed by you and your total commitment to your faith. You give Catholic’s a good name again. I am a Lutheran but still give to catholic charities and because of a leader like yourself I will give more. You are truly a role model for other leaders, God bless you.

I live in New Zealand and I am going home to visit my family in Scotland in Sept/Oct 2013.

I am taking my mum to Rome with my 19 year old son and my baby daughter – this is going to be a wonderful opportunity for my mum and I to spend some time together and to visit Rome together for the first time. My mother is a devout catholic and a wonderful mum who has endured a lot, but with grace and dignity. I would love for my mum to meet you and for you to meet her. If this in any way possible it would mean so much to my mum,

God bless you and thank-you for all the wonderful things you are doing and will do,

I would like to say that I have been following you and I think you are a wonderful Pope, I am Catholic and my wife is a baptist, she is a nurse who has recently lost her job because of lies and threats, she has been a nurse for over 20 yrs and she’s been working even though she has diabetes and other health problems, I am asking that you put us in your prayers my name is Jeff and my wife’s name is Kimberly, please pray that she will find a nursing job that will be easy on her so we will not lose our home. Thank you for your precious time. Jeff Towell

Hello! Pope Francis I!!! May God bless you. My father’s name was also Francis. He would have been 105 years old this December 12, if he had lived. He died at 68 years old. May you have a long and happy and blessed reign as Pope. My love to you, Elaine R. Pennekamp

You are such an INSPIRATION to me and to the world, especially to Africa. You give new HOPE and PEACE to God’s world. Be assured of our continued prayers for you and your ministry. May God bless you abundantly.

From an Anglican Priest and his people in Africa.
The Revd Fr Nolan Andrew Tobias tssf
Minister Provincial for Africa: The Third Order of the Society of St Francis and rector of St Francis of Assisi Church, Simon’s Town, South Africa

I was to be in Rome this month with my symphony director. There was not a large enough group so Educational tours transferred me to another group in June. I was in Rome on June 19, 2013. Since I had only a two month notice I do not believe I would have received a ticket to see you. Two ladies with my group saw you on that date. I was very disappointed since I had seen Pope Paul on my previous Rome visit. I have traveled with the Catholic Pilgramage group previous to Rome. I dearly love you becaue you are humble, kind, sincere and to the point. I was hoping to see you out and about by chance in Rome, as some other groups did recently. I wish you the best and keep up your great work, we need more people like you. I listen to Relevant Radio and laugh at the humble stories they tell about you. I kept a copy of your speech of June 19, 2013 as a keepsake.
Best regards,

Dear Pope Francis,
I am so proud to be a Catholic. I pray everyday for you and your intentions. I am in the Legion of Mary and love the work we do.
I pray the Rosary and Tessera every day! I also pray the prayer of the Beautification of the Servant Frank Duff. I love praying ,but I like living God’s Word!
My dream is to meet you one day in person. You are so humble, and I
know God must really be proud of you, to represent him here, on earth. I have not heard one bad thing about you from any one, so what a wonderful job you are doing.

I love you with all my heart,
and may you get through to the whole world, and may there be peace on earth.

Dear Pope Francis,
I hope you receive this. Just in case you don’t, I am writing a letter to be sent in the mail. I think it is time that our church allowed priests to be married as they were in Christ’s time. Jesus chose married men to be his apostles. We should not be different. We have married deacons who do great work for our church. In our diocese (Gary in Indiana)the wives attend classes so that they have a better understanding of their husband’s work. I think the same could be put in to practice for married priests. Some priests will choose to remain unmarried and that is okay. The married state is not for everyone.
True, a married priest does not have as much time to devote to the church’s work because he has a family; however, a married priest would do very well as an assistant or as a pastor of a smaller parish. Some of the parishes in our diocese have become so large that people feel lost. They have no real connection to their pastor. They do not feel as if they have a mission because the priest is unavailable. It is true that we have many lay clergy who do a wonderful job of filling in the spaces, but it is not the same.
Please consider reinstating the married priesthood. We need these wonderful men to guide and lead us.
Thank you for listening to me. Catherine

I was delighted to see the visit to Brazil. Hopefully,you can visit Bogota, Colombia. Also, Florida. The city where a boy was killed and at trial the attacker, Zimmerman, was found not guilty in court. Your presence is needed there.

Bless you Pope Francis, It is indeed a troubled time in our world and I thank God we have saintly people like you to guide us through this most troubling of time. I do not how to tweet, but God bless you and thank you Pope Francis

Good morning your Holiness. I am writing to you about the concern for the poor. I am a student at Christ the King Seminary in Western New York. You have reached many people in your messages about those who do have. I believe in what you say about putting those individuals who have nothing first; however, I also see that true believers everywhere need to be united in, “One Lord, One faith , and One baptism. I am not Catholic but I do believe in what you are saying. I believe you can change our world and help others too see that we are just servants sent by Christ help pothers. Horace Cromer.

Greetings Holy Father,
I was is Buenos Aires from January 18th to February 18th of this year for the very first time in my life. I feel so touched that your people there said so many good things about you and they told me that you would never be chosen Pope because of the way you lived your life. The Holy Spirit is truly in charge!I have been so disappointed in the actions of my mother church. I do not believe that an institution is divine! I too am poor, many are poor but not just for food, but they are poor in spirit, they give up hope for a better future. They have lost the will to fight because the strong and wealthy continue to oppress them. Will you stand up for them? for me? I will stand up for you I promise you that that will be my commitment to the Christ in you and I. My confirmation name is Francis of Assisi. My mother and father raised 15 children and she was a life long member of the Third Order of St. Francis.
I met Pope John Paul 11 in Rome and gave him a special necklace of my people for traditional leadership. I believe he wore it well. I hope someday we can meet each other and share our love for life. God Bless you my friend, Ali’i Sir Paul K. Neves Knights Grand Cross Knight of the Royal Order of Kamehameha 1 of Hawai’i.

Dearest Holy Father,
I implore you to use your influence to prevent the United States from entering into a war with Syria at the present time. While the deplorable acts against the people there is morally reprehensible, President Obama condones the murder of 1.3 million unborn babies in the United States alone each year. Please encourage our leaders to more fully examine the facts and join with other nations in a joint effort to punish the responsible perpetrators of this atrocity. I have served as Executive Administrative Assistant to two bishops here in the Diocese of Nashville, Tennessee and I rejoice with them in your election as our Pope.
May God bless you and keep you healthy and safe always!
Respectfully,
Mary Margaret Lambert
Nashville, Tennessee USA

Dearest Holy Father,
I implore you to use your influence to prevent the United States from entering into a war with Syria at the present time. While the deplorable acts against the people there is morally reprehensible, President Obama condones the murder of 1.3 million unborn babies in the United States alone each year. Please encourage our leaders to more fully examine the facts and join with other nations in a joint effort to punish the responsible perpetrators of this atrocity. I have served as Executive Administrative Assistant to two bishops here in the Diocese of Nashville, Tennessee and I rejoice with them in your election as our Pope.
May God bless you and keep you healthy and safe always!
Respectfully,
Mary Margaret Lambert
Nashville, Tennessee USA

His Holiness Pope Francis
We are asking for your help.
In Cuba, for years the group of ladies known as ‘Las Damas de Blanco’ have been grossly mistreated by the Cuban Government.
Throughout this time, we have not seen any action by Cardinal Jaime Ortega y Alamino to protect the abuse suffered by these ladies on their way to Church.
Instead we have seen Cardinal Ortega ‘all smiles’ in meetings with dictator Raul Castro.
His Holiness, please, the least Cardinal Ortega should do is to wear his pants and show his support by escorting Las Damas de Blanco on their way to Church and back.
His Holiness Pope Francis, please help
Thank you,
Ramon Almirall

Dear Hloy Father, May the Good Lord Bless you and guide you in your most difficult undertaking in steering the Church through such troubled waters, I know that we must not lose hope, in that someday she may continue on with her mission of revealing to the world Christ’s great love for His world. I encourage you to surround yourself with FAITHFUL souls, for without faith there can be no true charity, and please keep in mind the grave responsibilty of giving to the Church faith filled bishops, of which we have far to few. As the bishop goes, so goes the flock, and right now the wolves are ravaging your flock. Sincerely Dan

I wish there were some way to let you know how you have changed my life. Born and raised Roman Catholic, I let the Church and My Faith become secondary in my life.

On March 13, 2013, I was reborn and have embraced my faith and come back to the Church. Pope Francis, you were the instrument that made me whole again. When I first saw your face, I was filled with the desire to embrace my faith again.

You are truly a man touched by God. Among my prayers, I pray for you to continue your great work and I thank God for allowing a man like you to have changed my life. Bless you.

Beloved Holy Father, I am sure you will never read this, but I am asking for your prayers for my brother Allen in Fargo, ND, USA who is having surgery on Monday, September 16 and probably has lymphoma. My oldest brother, LeRoy, has advanced kidney cancer, and now this. Thank you so very, very much. I pray for you every day. I love you.

May God bless you, as he’s blessed us with you as Pope, and keep you safe from all harm.

I’m so full of thanks, so grateful; it’s humbling and hopeful. I know you won’t/can’t change basic Church doctrine – that is fine, as many are the ideals to which we must aspire, which guide us all to be each others’ brothers and sisters in Christ, but your words thus far have turned on lights, opened windows, and let the Love of God shine on us all. Thank you.

PAPA,YOU are cherished. I pray for you every day. I will be at a 3 day retreat at a Jesuit retreat house this weekend where I will lift you in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Please pray for my 27 year-old son, Joseph, who is homeless and has lost his faith despite all my efforts to teach him. I sometime blame myself for his circumstances because I was an unwed mother .I have confessed this, but I cannot forgive myself.

Your Holiness Pope Francis,
As one that basically had to “nail my shoes to the floor” to keep from leaving the church, your call to be our Shepherd has renewed my faith personally and in the life of the church.
I pray daily that under your leadership we may all become more
spiritually committed as Church.
God blessing always,
Sue Schimelfenyg

I am fifty-five and a product of an affair my mom had while she was married. I have many brothers and sisters. I am the only one of them who has never stood on solid ground. Every time I believe things are coming together in my life, as far as jobs, a love life, friends, a place to belong/home. The rug is pulled out from under me. I’ve never done drugs, i may have a little wine during the holidays, and I don’t curse. I’ve even been told I was “too nice”. I’ll give what little clothes or food I have if it’ll help you/ put a smile on your face, and make you feel good. I love doing that. There has never been a time in my life I can recall my prayers for me being answered. If it is said that the sins of the mother is not visited on the child. I’d rethink that.

Dear Holy Father: It would appear in todays confused and tumultuous world, that this evil is not simply relegated to the secular world , but has entrenched itself within the Church hierarchy itself. After reading some of your comments it is quite obvious that you suffer from the same affliction many of our bishops are plagued with today, namely they are clueless as to what their job description entails. To govern responsibly, teach their flock and sanctify that same flock. It seems simple enough, doesn’t it? We really don’t need any more rhetoric or inane comments,we need bishops appointed who actually possess the faith, and have the courage to proclaim that faith, one cannot give what one does not possess themselves. If you do nothing else in your pontificate, gives us good and faithful bishops, and the problems afflicting the church will resolve themselves, we certainly don’t need any more wolves scattering and devouring the flock, we have enough of these already.

His Holiness Pope Francis. Please pray for our healthcare system. We have seemed to lost our values. St John hospital in tulsa ok started by nuns and at one time did have the values of the church. things have changed.tonite at work one of the nurses said. I thought this was a catholic hospital…does not seem like it anymore. I can remember when the nuns ran the facility not any more, not even Christian values here. Money is bottom line. I wanted to cry. How sad we have lost our way. please pray for this hospital and others that we can return to the purpose of the hospital and the influence of the church will be known..let it become a work of love. A mission of the church. Not a money making venture

Your early months as Pope have promised wonderful things for peace and understanding among all people and religions, including the forgotten of the world.

It was distressing, however, to hear that you have declared that animals do not enter heaven because they have no souls–distressing coming from a Pope who assumed the name of the Saint who most expressed love for ALL God’s creatures, and that you would presume to know so absolutely and finally God’s plan for His Creation.

Perhaps you never knew the companionship and affection of a domestic animal, or a dog or cat’s seeking out a human for play, or looked into its eyes to see profound if simple signs of emotion and intelligence. To view God’s “lower” creatures as inferior, not only in degree but in kind, from the human creation is, I believe, a form of arrogance and failure to appreciate (as St. Francis was able to do) God’s animal kindgom, including the bird’s who were so precious to St. Francis.

My Dear Father Pope Francis, I have never been more excited about having a Pope elected. Finally we have a truly real follower of Jesus in every way. You care about the poor and the least of the world, you live a life as close as possible to what Jesus lived and the Love of God shines right through you. You are as forgiving as He was. You are willing to listen and not sit in judgement. You are the Vicar of Christ. To those who may criticize you it’s not important, continue to guide with God’s Love. You are a Pope of all the people not just a small segment and God wants to bring all His people together as one in Love. Trying to live in the world is very difficult and I think people in general try to do the best they can and some people are very judgmental, life is hard. Please lift us up to God in prayer, We all need His help. I will pray that you will continue to do only what the Lord wants you to do. In God’s Love, Gloria Nichols

dear brother
I am pleased to hear the unity of Lutherans and catholic, I was raised Spaniard roman catholic,, I had some conflict, but happy what the house has taught me,,,recently became a rogue for Christ for years ,I have join the Lutherans ELCU cause,,, they are good people,,,what martin did is good,,,the love of Christ, yes I see inner conflict also here, but they are good,,, they can help in a good way,,, in time of falling in the cause to show Christ’s love, by joining all factions is good,,, I would love to assist this transition,,, for all our my brother and sister,,,we are but children of GOD, not adults of GOD… thank you my brother I am humbled

I think it is the best book I have ever read upholding Holy Matrimony, except the scripture especially Malachi , St. Paul and all the others who protect Marriage. Please read this book from one of your own,also a member of “The Body Of Christ”

In 2005, a flaming desire to follow in the footsteps of Dorothy Day ignited during my first of soon to be 8 trips to both sides of The Wall in Israel Palestine.

Dorothy Day has been the ‘patron saint’ of my internet newspaper WeAreWideAwake.org since its inception and the mission has been to tell the Palestinian Christian and Muslim side of the story in the Holy Land since 1948 and USA policies that collude in Nuclear deceptions and immoral and illegal occupation of the indigenous people.

I have also been persistently praying to God and Dorothy Day to lead Leaders to END Nuclear Deceptions and FREE ALL the captives-in particular Mordechai Vanunu, Israel’s Nuclear Whistle-blower.

After we had hiked up the Mount of Olives we sat down under an olive tree and I asked Vanunu, “How was it–being crucified for telling the truth?”

Vanunu readily replied, “My human rights have been denied me because I am a Christian. When I was on trial, I was treated just like a Palestinian: no human rights at all, and cruel and unusual punishment, all because I told the truth. The government spread slander about me, that I was a homosexual, that I hated Jews, that I wanted fame and money. What I did was sacrifice my life for the truth. In prison, I really began to feel like Jesus and Paul. When Jesus threw the money changers out of the temple, it was like me in Dimona, exposing the Israelis’ dirty secrets. I felt like Paul, being thrown in prison for speaking the truth.

“The only real way to worship is in loving one’s enemies. It was not easy to love my tormentors; it was only because I felt so much like Jesus crucified on the cross, and as if I was crucified in prison, that I could do it. It was not ever easy. I have forgiven but not forgotten anything, and I never will. In Israel, a life sentence is twenty-five years. Even murderers go free after seventeen. They imposed the same restrictions on me that Palestinians receive: no human rights at all; no phone; no visitors, except family, and only through an iron grill; no vacation; no holidays; and no gifts. Even murderers get out for vacations! I was locked up for eighteen years and still cannot go on vacation; I cannot leave, and that is all I am asking for, just to leave here. For eighteen years in prison, they even attempted to control my thoughts on paper. I would write exactly what I wanted and they would censor words like kidnapped and atomic bomb. They would show me how they chopped up my letters, but I continued to write exactly what I wanted. They held my body, but never my spirit or mind.”

I interrupted, “Have you ever considered the idea that the anti-Christ may not be a man at all? I keep thinking how nuclear weapons are promoted by governments as instruments of peace, but they only bring destruction. I can’t imagine that God intended for man to blow up this planet, but instead, to learn how to share it.”

Vanunu responded, “The only way to peace is peace; the only way is nonviolence. The only answer to Israeli nuclear weapons, their aggression, occupation and oppression, and the wall and refugee camps is to answer them with truth and a peaceful voice. When I became the spy for the world, I did it all for the people of the world. If governments do not report the truth, and if the media does not report the truth, then all we can do is follow our consciences. Daniel Ellsberg did, the woman from Enron did, and I did. The United States needs to wake up and see the truth that Israel is not a democracy, unless you are a Jew. Israel is the only country in the Middle East where America can right now find WMDs. America can also find where basic human rights have been denied Christians: right here in Israel.”

I told him, “In America, we are assured inalienable rights. That means they are God-given rights that governments cannot take away, such as the right to worship where and how we choose. When I read that you were not allowed to go the few miles on Christmas Eve to celebrate mass at the Church of the Nativity, I wondered, what kind of democracy is that? I cannot understand how a democracy could haul anyone to jail because they wanted to go to a church in the next town. American democracy ensures citizens the right to think and to speak out the truth as we see it. American democracy understands that everyone has the right to a life and to liberty–which means freedom from captivity and any arbitrary controls. Last night, at the Interfaith Conference, I remembered what President Bush promised at his second inauguration, and wondered if he had thought about Palestinians when he delivered it.

“He promised, ‘There is no justice without freedom. There can be no human rights without liberty…All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for liberty, we will stand with you.’”- http://j.mp/cuBTuV

Please and THANK YOU for your prayers in service to The Prince of PEACE for ALL the people of Israel Palestine,

dear papa, we love you nd your thoughts n deeds. we need the courage that u take now to nurture ur floks. we r with u papa with our love n prayr. And a warm loving welcom to thrissur headed by Mar Andrews Thazheth nd Mar Raphel Thattil in Kerala in INDIA. And it is a dream. Bless us papaa….

I AM A ROMAN CATHOLIC TEACHER.SEARCHING A BETTER JOB IN MISSIONARY SCHOOL. I HAVE DONE MA,B.ED AND P.HD IN HISTORY.MY TOPIC IS ALSO BASED ON CHRISTIANITY-”CHRISTIANITY IN NORTH BIHAR”.BUT THE VERY UNLUCKY THING IS THAT I HAVE STILL NOT GOT A BETTER JOB.OTHER INSTITUTIONS ARE NEGLECTING ME BECAUSE OF MY TOPIC.BUT I HAVE A GREAT FAITH ON OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST.I HAVE ONLY A HOPE OF RAY IS ONLY YOU TO HELP ME. I HAVE TRIED A LOT IN LOYOLA SCHOOL RUNNING BY S.J FATHERS BUT VERY SORRY TO SAY THAT THEY ARE ALSO NEGLECTING ME . KINDLY DO SOME THING FOR ME AND FOR MY FAMILY MEMBERS.I HAVE TWO KIDS STUDYING IN LOYOLA SCHOOL JAMSHEDPUR ,INDIA.KINDLY HELP ME AND STRENGTHEN MY FAITH ON GOD .
THANKS A LOT IN THE NAME OF JESUS OUR SAVIOUR.

REQUESTING YOU FOR HELP ,I NEED A BETTER JOB IN LOYOLA SCHOOL, JAMSHEDPUR, JHARKHAND, INDIA, RUNNING BY SJ FATHERS.WITH GREAT HOPE I CAME TO REQUEST FOR THE SAME .THE LOCAL BODIES ARE IN CHRISTIANS FAVOUR.KINDLY DO SOME NEEDFUL HELP FOR ME .THANKS IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

Your Holiness,
My heart jumps with joy when I hear you tell of living a holy and simple life. The life that Jesus wishes for us. May He continue blessing you and give you much spiritual strength to.
Please pray for my 55 year old son John who I’m afraid is lost to drugs and alcohol. I pray daily for Jesus to create in him a new spirit. One of holiness and forgiveness.
Also, please pray for me. I have severe copd and am living with 40% lung capacity. I pray daily for the strength it takes to live with this horrible disease.
Thank you.

I saw a message in the church today in which you wrote asking young people to take the initiative and to be decisive. Today I am buying a new house. Please bless my decision, and may God help me to make it holy and welcoming.

Sir,
I am not Catholic but I would like to express a message to you. Please read the entire thing. I grew up as a practicing Lutheran. A time came that I became disenfranchised. I went to many different denominations: Catholic, Baptist, Episcopol, Methodist and a non-denominational Church or Christ(not LDS…I couldn’t take their bigotry). While living in Las Vegas Nevada in the USA, I had a girl friend that bullied me(for many months) to go to church with her. I finally did. You know what I found…the first church that preached Jesus message with words AND actions. This “Church” was actually part of an abandoned store plaza in the worst part of town. One Subday I was sitting in church and this very dirty & smelly individual came into the church during the sermon. The preacher stopped his sermon, said to the man he would be with him in just a moment. The Preacher finished his train of thought then handed his lesson to a Deacon. He walked to the man waiting in the back of the church and brought him to a room in the back. What I didn’t know at the time, there were rooms in the back that food and clothing was stored for the needy. The Preacher gave the man food and clothing…as much as he could carry. My whole life I have moved around, as a child to go where my father could find work, as an adult I entered the military then left and married a military man. I had never seen anyone actually practice what Jesus taught. I knew this was what I had been looking for all my life. (Know that my Grandmother was always the one who told me that I would find what I needed). I was baptized as an infant, but I made up my mind that this man was a true teacher…not a hypocrit, and I was baptized by him in the middle of the night. He waited for when I was ready and never pushed. I had to move and have found the same problem again, but I now know that I have seen a true disciple of Jesus and he gave me a gift that I carry in my heart.

You Sir remind me of him. I’m not Catholic and don’t believe in your Creeds, but I believe that you are a true disciple of Jesus teachings. My husband and I read and talk about the scripture often. We have never found any teaching that supports hate, bigotry, anti gay sentimentality, sexism, greed and total disrespect for all people and things “beneath” others. You are a light shining in the dark. There are far too many hypochristians around the world. I argue that Jesus taught to feed and cloth the poor and care for the orphaned and widowed. We see these very people being ground under the heels of the more well off. Please continue spreading your word. If we don’t speak up for the poor and oppressed…who will? If I could shake your hand I would hug you instead. We all believe in the same God. Religion has to stop being used as a means of power…unless it is only used as a tool for love. Merry Christmas to you Sir and May God Bless You in all you do. I’m thankful for you and your messages.

I am keeping you in my daily prayers. I am so glad that you were elected Pope. I love your thoughts on the Church and on God. You indicated that you believed in God but not a Catholic God. I am so happy that you are concerned for the poor. For so many years the Church was only interested in orthodoxy. You have put the bloom back in the Church for me.

It saddens me to see how many people have left the Catholic Church. I know for a fact most people I know who have left, left because of the Church’s stance on gay marriage, women priests, and priests marrying. I went to Catholic School for 14 years of my life. I was always taught The Bible is to not be taken literally, but to be looked at to find Christ’s and God’s message of love, acceptance, and being non-judgmental. How could gay marriage and be possibly not legal in the Catholic Church if Jesus taught about equality, men, women, black, white, poor, rich, Gentile, and Jew? If a gay couple is willing to not have sex until marriage then why should they not be able to get married? If a child who is in an orphanage sad, and alone and a gay couple in love could be their parents, why should they not looked at as a Catholic family? A family is based on love and acceptance. Not all people can bare children, just like a barren woman, but there are so many children in orphanages, who are also God’s children, who need a loving home, therefore a gay couple can create by giving a family to a child who is alone and in an orphanage. What better example of God’s love and acceptance is there? Many priests we have been with are very arrogant, unlike you. They think they are above everyone and that they know all. I wish the priests would take your example of simplicity and humbleness because our Church would be in a much better place. If they were allowed to have families they would be able to relate to us better, instead of looking down upon us. The Catholic Church has become a church of judgment, arrogance, and exclusivity. I have had the pastor of our church say ,”Gay people are ruining families,” ,”Gay people are mentally disturbed.” This is completely bigoted and hateful. The priests are breeding hate against gay people. It is a disgrace to Christ and to God they are being judgmental and arrogant, like the Pharisees. Oh, Pope Francis, please turn the Church back into church based on Christ’s teachings of love, being nonjudgmental. Christ died for us to learn the saving grace of love and being nonjudgmental. Please bring the Catholic Church back to that!! How can we ignore Christ’s teaching of love, being nonjudgmental, and acceptance

Dear Holy Father,
I have 3 beautiful sons, the youngest is gay. He is in a permanent relationship with a wonderful, talented man. We are truly blessed. Because his partner was thrown out of his home when he was 18, he has told us he is not religious. My son was brought up in the Church and used to attend mass weekly. When Cardinal McGarrick was at St. Mathew the Apostle Church in Washington, DC, my son and a group of his gay friends would go to Mass and out to dinner afterwards. In that church, we would see many gay men in attendance and some were serving as ushers. The new cardinal apparently made antigay statements from the pulpit and they seem to all have quit going there. At least that’s what my son says and I know he and his friends no longer go there. My son’s partner is happy to go with us at Christmas and Easter. I have been trying to encourage my son to go to a gay-friendly Episcopal Church such as National Cathedral here in Washington. I have been hoping to change the heart of my son’s partner into at least joining my son there. Christmas vigil was for all intents and purposes a disaster. My son lives practically next door to The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception here in Washington. I believed that taking all of us there for Mass would maybe impress my son’s partner with the majesty of the traditions of our church that maybe he would join us in wanting to be part of this incredible body of people. Here is what happened. We went an hour in a half early just to get a seat. Everything was so beautiful. The music was incredible. The Papal Nuncio delivered the homily. His message of the incredible beauty of all that the infant Jesus was to be was so meaningful. But then everything was destroyed in just a matter of minutes. He started to pontificate about the importance of only the traditional family of only mother and father. When we stood for the Nicene Creed, we just left. I felt sorry for a gay couple across the aisle from us. They were so happy to be there. By the time the homily was finished, they were slumping in their seats.
I knew the day would come when I would have to stand up and leave a church because of this kind of message. I just didn’t think it would be Christmas Eve. My plan of trying to effect some kind of softening of my son’s partner’s stance on religion was totally sabotaged. I also felt a bit insulted because as a psychiatric nurse that has worked with teenagers, I can honestly say there are more nonfunctional “traditional” families around. Also as traditional parents, we must have not guided our son properly as he is gay. Holy Father, I urge you to bring in the scientific community to examine this issue. Personally I can’t understand the big deal of maintaining this anti-gay stance. My research says 1 in 10 males are gay. That is a significant minority. It drains the talent of the Church to lose these men. Please do something meaningful in regards to this issue.

I am writing to ask his holiness to pray for my brother who has been diagnosed to terminal pancreatic cancer. Steven( my brother) has about 18 months to live if he undergoes chemo and radiation treatments.

I am going to shave my head to support my brother. Unable to do any more than that.

Holiness, I am almost 80 years old. I have come to realize that the prophets of old based their moral laws on the need to propagate among themselves, to give strength to their tribes, and among their flocks for food and clothing. They therefore condemned anything which prevented fertility. Birth control, masturbation, homosexual acts etc. it has caused the pain of guilt to billions since these archaic codes have been imposed. Today with over population threatening life on this planet a reversal of ancient morality is urgent. I pray that God gives you the wisdom and strength to affect these changes.,
Peace and love,
T. Francis Burke

His holiness Pope Francis,
you are intervening in the problems of all the poor and suffering in the world. I implore you to take notice of my country India with its religious, political and many other problems and to talk to our church leaders as well as our political leaders to make our country livable for all people.

May I ask for prayers for my family in extreme turmoil. That my grandson does whatever he can to heal the family unit. That the problem that caused this turmoil will be solved. I pray in Gods name. Thank you for your prayers your holiness .

Dear Pope Francis,
What would be the likelihood of knowing the answer of this question – to be asked of every country’s leader in the world:
How would you define the ethical principals of your leadership on your people’s behalf?
I ask this as a Christian (Episcopalian) who is most depressed at the daily attack on God, religion and Christianity.
Any words of encouragement from you would be most helpful, Sir. Every generation has its own feeling of doom – this is mine in my 56th year of life.
Thank you for your time, Pope Francis, and may God bless you in helping us all find encouragement and guidance in these times.
Sincerely,
Micheal Rosati
South Jordan, Utah

I had a dream of three alters one marbel with circles cut out on the top and thought this alter needs more light these circles r for candles in the background there were Roman pillars the middle alter was on a hillside with blue clouds trees grass and rocks at the front below the alter were two slabs for kneeling with rocks at the sides the third was a side view of a church with stained glass windows and an extremely large painting of the blessed virgin her robes flowing out of the painting them u were elected. And it seems there is more devotion to her while recently driving through a snow storm I feel I’ve had a glimpse of heaven the snow falling heavily covering all of nature and man with the spirit of the Lord bring serenity peace I thank God you and it spirit

Dear Pope Francis,
I don’t know where else to turn. Lord knows I wouldn’t be bothering you with my little world if I didn’t think it was that important. I am 59 years old. I am raising my fifth and last child but I am doing it alone. By alone I don’t mean without God. I mean without her Dad or her Grandparents to help me pay for a good education. They have all gone home to God. Many might say, so what, lots of people do things alone with a mediocre education and they turn out just fine. Maybe so but I don’t want to wait and see how poor education doesn’t help my daughter do all that she is meant to. She deserves to be happy, peaceful, and in a supportive learning environment. Hannah graduated from the 8th grade catholic school last May. We tried Public school this year frankly because I was getting tired of asking for help all the time. Bottom line is we made a giant mistake. Public High School where we live has been terrible.
I just need someone or some group or anyone who cares to help me give my daughter the opportunity her Father would have given her if he were here.
When my husband was alive and after I have been faithful, Committee after committee, project after project in every Parish we ever belonged to. Eucharistic Minister, Evangelization Committee, St. Vincent DePaul, Martha and Mary committees, planning committee for Days of recollection, Ultreya planning committee. Cursillo Teams, Fiesta and Festival committee and Booth leaders, Athletic Association, Alter Servers, teaching CCD.
I know that I did all those things because I wanted to work with God not just stand by and watch. I am writing to you today because I need someone who would like to help my daughter go to Catholic High School where she belongs. She is the salt of the earth, smart, caring, soft spoken and she has a great purpose I just don’t know exactly what it is yet. But I do know she is going to make a difference in the world.

Holy Father,
I am very disturbed to hear you say that the “Extraordinary form” of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is a “fad”. I belong to a large, devout, Latin Rite parish. We have an abundance of young couples with their many children. People come from other states just so that they can discover or recover the Mass that fed and sustained Catholics for hundreds of years. The Novus Ordo Mass is a “fad” and a fabrication. It is a terrible corruption of the good, the true, and the beautiful. The Church has lost millions of laymen and clergy due to the emptiness and protestant-leaning new form which is more of a 1970′s rock performance than the re-creation of Our Lord’s saving sacrifice. You are very popular with our modernist, secularist world. That should disturb you greatly. The Church, and the Pope in particular, should be countercultural when that culture is corrupt. Praise from Obama and the popular media is damning praise. Seek rather the kingdom of God.

May God bless you and lead you to look to sacred tradition, not to the “relevancy” of a misguided world.

Sincerely and with great reverance,
Your handmaid, Carolyn Kimberly, USA

Pope Francis, I have newly rejoined my faith after having been away for about 20 years. I live in California add belong to St. Kateri Church. Although I enjoy the sermons and the mass most days, lately the focus has been “give money”. Although I undertand the need for donations, I really miss the focused sermons that get me through the week. Can the church not reach out individually and personally to parishoners and leave Sunday service for true worship, learning and greater understanding? Bless you Pope Francis, just trying to learn and understand…again.

Your Holiness: I am appalled at Archbishop John J. Myers’ extravagant retirement home in New Jersey. I realize this is the second time such retirement extravagance has been publicized and believe it is a serious matter.
How can I respond to requests to fund the retirement of priests and nuns when this abuse of funds is permitted? Please review the current policies in this matter and correct this apparent abuse of power. Thanks

Dear Pope Francis, God surely blessed us all with you being Our Pope!!!!Bringing us hope !!!! Would like to suggest that with the problem that occured within the church that WE DO NOT OFFER ANY MONEY TO THESE PEOPLE BUT RATHER COUNCELLING, I did try to call our Bishop about this months ago and don’t know if he ever got the message doubtful for in our area there was big pay off and in my mind how much was really true who knows God knows!!!! You are in our prayers and Thank you for taking this most difficult job with such joy we love you, Naomi

Dear Pope Francis,
Please do what The Blessed Mother has requested at Fatima and
Consecrate Russia to Her along with the Bishops, please.
I am an American and I watch helplessly as my country and much of
The world sink into chaos. She and Lord Jesus are our only hope and
She has been waiting so long.
Thank You and God Bless You

You know father, I was a child brought to the church to pray every day when I was 9 years old by a visiting Aunt from England. I became very religious at a young age because of this exposure to the church. I lost my enthusiasm when Father Xavior asked my religious instruction class “whose parents do not go to church”. No one raised their hands although I knew most of my classmates’ parents did not go to church. I raised my hand because I wanted to respond honestly – Father Xavior said “tell your parents they are Heathens and Pagans” in front of the entire class. I was very shy and humiliated. He also said “do you know what a Pagan is” and proceeded to tell me! Even Sister Mary looked at him in dis-belief!

Then there was what in my later years what I called “surprise confession”. My parents required us to go to confession – Father Xavior had a few old people in line and Father Henry (a Spanish priest who spoke 5 languages)who always listened and never pried and let us all off with 3 Our Fathers and 3 Hail Mary’s no matter how terrible we thought the sin, and he had a line of adults and a long line of children. Since we only went to “Religious Instructions on Tuesdays”, we never thought we would have to confess on a Tuesday. We all marched in and I was the only one who had no head covering, so the Mother Superior put a piece of note paper on top of my head with a bobby pin – totally embarrassed. Then, of course, Father Xavior was the confessor. I racked my brain but could not think of anything to confess since Saturday, so knowing I would be grilled I made up some standard sins and then as my final sin said “I also lied”. This seemed to make him happy and after a liturgy of admonitions I was released to make my penance, which I recall was not as lenient as Father Henry.

I visited the church again when dating my husband and we met in church each Sunday and even attended the breakfasts the church offered. As a child I had attended a Franciscan Church and loved Father Henry and this Chapel was also attended by a Franciscan priest. We left Germany and had our first child baptized in the faith – a Jesuit priest chastized us for waiting 6 months to have our child baptized and then we never had our children attend church as we were humiliated at the things this priest said to us.

When I really needed to see a priest, I went to the local church and found that the doors were locked in mid-day and no sign of anyone. I was told the church was only open on Saturday during confession and Sundays.

When you need to speak to your priest where is he? Maybe you could do something about keeping church’s open and forgetting about theft – in “Les Miserables” that priest never considered the riches of the church more important than the salvation of a soul!

Please change things so I can go back and be that child of 9 years old and feel welcome by someone like Father Henry who was a wonderful loving priest!